Biomega believes fish byproducts will soon be used for direct human consumption rather than for fishmeal production. "Most people laugh at me when I say this," Biomega R&D Director Kartjan Sandnes said at the recent Marin Protein Nettverk summit.

Sandnes co-founded Biomega in 2000, but sold the company two years ago. Now he’s back, spearheading the group's global vision.

“The money I received when I left Biomega has been reinvested in the company," he said. "The potential here is massive. I wish I was 30 years younger because everything that is happening now is just the beginning to remarkable advances in food production."

Biomega built its first factory specializing in enzymatic hydrolysis production in 2002 and built a new factory at Sotra in 2012. The factory, which has a capacity of 60,000 metric tons, uses salmon offcuts as raw material.

The goal? Worldwide expansion

“The aim was to produce food for human consumption right from the start," Sandnes said. "The new owners, which have significant financial strength, want to achieve this goal."

The factory in Sotra is only the start of a major global commitment by the company.

“Factories will be expanded across the globe," Sandnes said. "We are seeking cooperating partners and sources of raw materials wherever that may be. It could be in South America, in North America and in Europe."

The new owners' financial backing helps, Sandnes said. The focus is not on marine resources only, but the entire agricultural sector.

A new factory for enzymatic hydrolysis production of poultry bones in Ostfold County is expected to start production from the third quarter of 2018. It will be the first factory of its kind, built in cooperation with Felleskjopet, Nortura and Norilia, built solely on the expertise of the Norwegian fisheries industry.

“There are so many exciting opportunities in the pipeline for biorefining," Sandnes said. "We’ve only just started."

Biomega is running tests on developing products from pelagic species and is researching the potential of seaweed, kelp and mussels.

Biomega believes fish byproducts will soon be used for direct human consumption rather than for fishmeal production. "Most people laugh at me when I say this," Biomega R&D Director Kartjan Sandnes said at the recent Marin Protein Nettverk summit.

Sandnes co-founded Biomega in 2000, but sold the company two years ago. Now he’s back, spearheading the group's global vision.

“The money I received when I left Biomega has been reinvested in the company," he said. "The potential here is massive. I wish I was 30 years younger because everything that is happening now is just the beginning to remarkable advances in food production."

Biomega built its first factory specializing in enzymatic hydrolysis production in 2002 and built a new factory at Sotra in 2012. The factory, which has a capacity of 60,000 metric tons, uses salmon offcuts as raw material.

The goal? Worldwide expansion

“The aim was to produce food for human consumption right from the start," Sandnes said. "The new owners, which have significant financial strength, want to achieve this goal."

The factory in Sotra is only the start of a major global commitment by the company.

“Factories will be expanded across the globe," Sandnes said. "We are seeking cooperating partners and sources of raw materials wherever that may be. It could be in South America, in North America and in Europe."

The new owners' financial backing helps, Sandnes said. The focus is not on marine resources only, but the entire agricultural sector.

A new factory for enzymatic hydrolysis production of poultry bones in Ostfold County is expected to start production from the third quarter of 2018. It will be the first factory of its kind, built in cooperation with Felleskjopet, Nortura and Norilia, built solely on the expertise of the Norwegian fisheries industry.

“There are so many exciting opportunities in the pipeline for biorefining," Sandnes said. "We’ve only just started."

Biomega is running tests on developing products from pelagic species and is researching the potential of seaweed, kelp and mussels.